"The ache for home lives in all of us. The safe place where we can go as we are and not be questioned." (Maya Angelou)

Sunday, 18 May 2014

Sunday Mornings: Coffee, Reflections and Music

There was a sign I walked past recently in my local Tesco that made me chuckle. It read: “Our call centres are in the UK because our customers are in the UK”. You might be wondering what’s so funny about that caption to which my answer would be that on stating the bleeding obvious Tesco’s message is a sign of our times.

We live in an interesting era. Next week there are both European and local elections in the UK. It is the European bit that has exercised the public’s mind more. The European Parliament is the only institution in the European Union for which we can vote directly. On discussing the pros and cons of staying in the Union, both main and fringe parties have unwittingly unveiled contradictions of which they might not be aware.

European Union: to stay or to leave? But that's not the main issue next week

The main issue when it comes to the European elections is immigration and legislation. Immigration in terms of who comes to settle in the UK and legislation as in who calls the shots, the UK or Brussels. Whereas in the past the parties slugging it out on these subjects were Labour, the Tories and the Lib Dems, now we also have the far right UK Independence Party and its charismatic leader, Nigel Farage, to contend with. Ukip, as they’re known, wants out of the Union and it is using the immigration card to their advantage.Yet, to me the main issue is not whether we take orders from Brussels or not, but whether our call centres remain in the UK to serve our customers in the UK, to quote that Tesco sign. That’s a metaphor, by the way, because what I really mean is that to me the pressing matter in Britain nowadays is the hike in outsourcing of staff and operations to other countries. Call centres? In India and beyond. Labour? It’s cheaper in the sweatshops that populate China and Bangladesh, to mention but two nations. Whilst Nigel Farage conveniently rages about Romanians invading our shores, I worry about the US behemoth Pfizer bidding for AstraZeneca, Britain’s second-largest pharmaceutical firm. The outcome of this transaction could see hundreds, if not thousands of jobs gone and operations moved outside the country. It’s a pattern that has established itself in the last ten years or so. Foreign firms buy British ones, cut back on personnel and move headquarters abroad to exploit tax loopholes. In the case of AstraZeneca, what is really worrying is that this is a company for which research and development is a key component. Globally, the UK accounts for 10% of research and development. Forget the empire; this is yet another crown jewel going walkies.Politicians, especially those of a right-wing disposition are always going on about illegal immigrants, asylum seekers, foreigners stealing jobs from Brits (never mind the fact that there are quite a few jobs Brits won’t be caught dead doing), etc. How about the Krafts of this world? The food giant took over the British chocolate-maker Cadbury four years ago and immediately downsized its workforce. Where was Nigel Farage then? Probably giving instructions to his German wife who also happens to be his secretary. Or to use Ukip’s language, probably giving instructions to his German wife who was doing a job that should have gone to a Briton.Modern capitalism has taken full advantage of globalisation in that, on the one hand, it has identified countries where labour is cheap, salaries low, unions weak and jobs much in demand and on the other hand rich nations where takeovers are favoured by business-friendly governments. Often to the detriment of local industries.This is what is at stake next week, in my opinion. The choice is not between a party that turns a blind eye on unregulated immigration or not, or wants out of the European Union or not. The vote is on the party whose goal is to keep call centres in the UK because our customers are still in the UK.

18 comments:

'never mind the fact that there are quite a few jobs Brits won’t be caught dead doing'

Exactly! And how many 'out of work' people just don't want to work? And how many school kids leave school without the slightest intention of getting a job? Politicians should turn their attention to these areas before taking drastic steps.

We have the same issues here. While I feel sorry for the struggling poor in 3rd world countries, our mega-corporations have transfered every job they can to places where labor is cheaper. Then, they proceed to support the most repressive dictatorship that they can because nothing should get in the way of obscene profits. In the mean time, the American working class has been destroyed. But we still haven't wised up as the Tea Party and other ultra-right wing groups have used the divide and conquer strategy all too well. The old Wobblies were right - the problems of labor and creating a more democratic world are world wide. But you have to start from your home base and the US now seems to be continually moving toward the right.

I'm not convinced politicians ever engage with the Real Issues. But women tied themselves to railings and went to prison so I could vote - in spite of all the dissembling, I shall still be putting my cross on the paper next Thursday.

It is ironic, from my point of view, that England and European nations are now afflicted by similar ailments they once visited upon countless other "less sophisticated" countries all over the globe: Exploitation those who are weaker.

While the land which now is the U.S. was once colonized by England, France and Spain, for instance, and never was a factual colonizer itself, it was guilty of the same manner of sin (or crime, if you prefer) through its exploitation of the indigenous occupants of the Americas and its practices involving slavery. So, the U.S., too, now faces the same quandaries and reversals of fortune of which you are writing, CiL.

Frankly, I do not think there ever will be a solution unless history and wheels cease to revolve. I often say poverty and war will always be with us; human nature being what it is, I would add exploitation of others to that list.

ah we have the same here in the states...the immigrants (illegal) are easy to blame for taking jobs...but the reality is the jobs they often take are ones that many feel are beneath them so...the sign in the first part made me think of a gas station near here that has a sign "Owned American, Run by Americans" whatever that means...nationalism...all too often it turns to hate.

i think nowadays we cannot stay independent as a country - we're all woven together in more than one ways and everyone is dependent on the other. what we need are wise and global AND local thinking politicians that make smart decisions without putting the blame on others

"Probably giving instructions to his German wife who also happens to be his secretary. Or to use Ukip’s language, probably giving instructions to his German wife who was doing a job that should have gone to a Briton."

It drives me insane when we call a help line and get someone who is unable to speak English...and we have to pay for dental and healthcare, when others arrive here and receive instant free treatments whilst we are moved to the back of a long queue...Please don't get me wrong, I have nothing against foreigners who are legally here, but those who aren't really should be stopped.This is a small country that is already overpopulated. Soon, I feel, it will suffocate...and we will lose our national identity.

Like him or loathe him, Nigel Farage is necessary in order to scare the resident politicos. There is NO chance that UKIP will get even a slippery foothold when it comes to a general election but as they will get a good solid result in the EU elections and some local council elections it will make LibCons and Labour heads to worry. And THAT can only be a good thing!

About Me

Look well to this day for it is life,
the very best of life. In its brief course lie all the realities and truths of existence, the joy of growth, the splendour of action, the glory of power. For yesterday is but a memory and tomorrow is only a vision. But today if well-lived makes every yesterday a memory of happiness and every tomorrow a vision of hope. Look well therefore to this day.
(Ancient Sanskrit Poem)